Northeast Regional Alliance (NERA) HCOP Program

The Northeast Regional Alliance (NERA) MedPrep HCOP Academy Program is a partnership between Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai's Center for Multicultural and Community Affairs, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, Manhattan-Staten Island Area Health Education Center. The Northeast Regional Alliance (NERA) MedPrep HCOP Academy is a free summer enrichment program for under-represented and/or economically disadvantaged college students interested in the medical field. It is a commitment of three years where the first year (Level 1) students will be reinforced in biological and physical sciences courses, in the second year (Level 2) students will take an MCAT prep course as well as shadowing opportunities, and the third year (Level 3) research component as well as getting ready for medical school. In all three years/levels, students will have an individualized educational plan (IEP), in which each student will receive personal and academic counseling which will be provided by a faculty preceptor or counselor. In addition, the Northeast Regional Alliance (NERA) MedPrep in partnership with the Mount Sinai Department of Social Work (DSW) are working together to integrate the Behavioral Health program into the existing NERA organizational structure. This pathway will target under-represented and/or economically disadvantaged college students enrolled in a Bachelor of Social Work program during junior year to impact awareness and preparation for competitive application to graduate school programs in social work and increase application submissions to graduate degree programs.